THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050086
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
IF YOU LIKE to keep notes on your garden activities, there is a new four-year journal, ``Garden Notes Through the Years,'' on which you can list the chronology of events in your garden. This book allows recording garden events, week by week, with each page spread so you can compare four years' notes at one time. Headings include weather data, plants in bloom or fruit, seeds or plants ordered, progress made and things to do. Cost is $10.95 plus $1.25 shipping, mailed to B. B. Mackeyi Books, P. O. Box 475, Wayne, Penn. 19087-0475. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Robert Monpetit, sales manager for Springs Nursery, a grower of ornamental grasses, is quoted in the January/February issue of Fine Gardening magazine saying, ``It's best to plant ornamental grasses in the spring.'' He recommends Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) as his top choice for seashore plantings. It reaches 4 to 8 feet with an arching habit. He suggests Blue Oat grass (Helictotrilchon sempervirens), a shorter grass, to plant in front of the cordgrass. Another he recommends is switch grass (Panicum virgatum). HOW TREES DRINK
Because tree roots are normally out of sight, most of us have completely false conceptions about how tree roots really grow and feed. In most root studies, the conclusion is that the upper one to three feet of soil usually accounts for over 50 percent of all the water a tree absorbs. So deep watering is unnecessary. POISON IVY REMEDY
Tecnu Poison Oak-n-Ivy Cleanser is the best to get rid of poisin ivy, in the opinion of experts. Used before exposure, Tecnu prevents reaction to the poison. If the itch has started, Tecnu will stop the discomfort and, after a few applications, usually removes the poison from the skin in two to three days. Tecnu is kept by some pharmacies and is available by mail from Nichols Garden Nursery, 1190 N. Pacific Highway, Albany, Ore. 97321. IDEAS WITH A RING TO THEM
I've not before heard of Teddy Colbert's Garden and his living wreaths in Somis, Calif., but Teddy wrote to say he has many customers in this area. He makes and sells (or tells you how to build) succulent wreaths for indoors and outdoors, plus many kinds of living floral, edible and ornamental wreaths. He'll be on Martha Stewart's TV show this spring. If you want literature on his wreaths and do-it-yourself kits, send a stamped addressed envelope to Teddy Colbert's Garden, P. O. Box 9, Somis, Calif. 93066. PRUNE ROSE HIPS
If your roses still have hips (those red or green berries that form after the bloom falls), prune them off. Many books used to say to leave them on the bush for birds to eat. In 30 years, I've never seen a bird eat a rose hip. I asked two Virginia Beach bird lovers - Mary Reid Barrow and Betsy Nugent - who observe birds more than I. They each say they've never seen a bird eat a rose hip. Unless you have proof that birds eat rose hips, prune the hips off, for they do no good and can suck energy from the plant.
Here's a reminders to clip and put away with your Christmas decorations. Jan Gates, the Virginia Beach Flower Lady, faxed that she and her son James had their hands covered with Christmas tree ``gooey'' sap. Jan had to take some ``olive-oily'' dishes from the sink and when she'd finished rinsing the dishes, the sap was gone. She ``de-gooed'' her son's hands with safflower oil. Wonder if it works to remove the goo from self-adhesive labels. by CNB